If an introductory paragraph is the only thing standing in the way of this article getting published, you all wouldn’t mind if I fudged it a little, right? Like, if I were to ask a bunch of silly rhetorical questions to fill two or three paragraphs at the beginning here, would it really be the worst thing?
Or do you want me to go all out after all? Do you want me introduce the Wood Memorial as it deserves to be introduced? Do you expect me to wax poetic about the 1973 running of the race, when Secretariat finished third behind Angle Light and Sham? Or maybe you’d prefer if I mentioned the 2005 running, when Bellamy Road scared the living hell out of every racing fan with a 120 BSF that he never came close to replicating? Maybe there are some fans of the 2000 running, when Fusaichi Pegasus won and became the last Kentucky Derby runner to win the Aqueduct prep race before — would that be entertaining?
Come to think of it, maybe this article doesn’t need an introduction at all. After months of study and research on the path to Churchill Downs, maybe it’s time to look at the horses ahead of us. Let’s give it a try, shall we?
Aqueduct, Race 8
Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) for Three-Year-Olds, 1 ⅛ Miles on the Dirt
Post Time: 4:45 p.m. EST
1- Mo Donegal
I love this horse, but I think I need a little time to unpack his recent performances. Way back in December, he was all heart when he won the G2 Remsen by a nose over Zandon, but the two-month layoff afterward seemed to take a toll. His comeback start in the G3 Holy Bull in February was strange, as he appeared idle for most of the race before rocketing home late to lose place by a nose. As disappointing finishes go, he performed very well, finishing third behind Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth winners White Abarrio and Simplification. I’m feeling a breakthrough.
2- Golden Code
He outran his odds in the G3 Gotham last time out, staying well to keep third behind fellow runner Morello at 27-1 odds. He’ll need more to contend for a win though, and the competition only gets tougher here.
3- Early Voting
He did exactly what he was supposed to do in the G3 Withers and beat up on that weaker field in commanding fashion. Not racing since, however, was a questionable decision by Chad Brown, as other runners in New York now seem a little more interesting. He’ll need to fire off a two-month layoff with the best performance of his short career to win here, and it seems like he’ll be a little overbet too.
4- Long Term
How can I take a four-race maiden with four second-place finishes in this race? In his last defeat, he lost a duel on the rail on a speed-favoring track at 6-5 odds despite securing a 24-second opening quarter mile. No thanks.
5- Morello
He’s favored because of his victory in the G3 Gotham, and he probably deserves that favoritism. He did win in stylish fashion that day to remain undefeated in three career starts, and the 96 BSF he earned is eye-catching. But the difference between him and a runner like Mo Donegal is that he’s never run against a horse that’s capable of running a 96 BSF. He has a versatile running style that should serve him well here, so someone will have to improve to beat him. But from a visual standpoint, I think he’s beatable.
6- Skippylongstocking
I like the optional claiming win last time out at Gulfstream, but it was probably the best he could do under optimal conditions. He needs to take another step forward.
7- A.P.’s Secret
Maybe he deserves an excuse after clipping heels and narrowly avoiding a spill in the G2 Fountain of Youth. He was already losing ground before the incident though and has never shown ability at this level before.
8- Barese
I understand how he fits in this field, and he hasn’t done anything wrong in three starts at the statebred level. The problem is that he doesn’t impress me from a visual standpoint and the speed figures seem to suggest that he’s a step slower than some of his competitors here. Maybe he has something in reserve, but I’ll have to see it first.
Order: 1 5 6 3
I’m all over Mo Donegal in this start because I see him as a serious Kentucky Derby contender who hasn’t really been able to show it yet. I expect him to be sharp here. Morello is a reputable favorite based on his win in the G3 Gotham, but he simply doesn’t have the sort of flash that I usually look for in standout runners. I know there are some serious knocks against Skippylongstocking, but sometimes the speed figures in allowances are legitimate. He probably can’t win, but I certainly think he can mix it up with a few vying for show money. I think Early Voting is a competitor in this field, but I expect him to be overbet.